The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-21
INTERSTATE COMMERCE
An Interesting Hearing Before the
Three commissioners.

WASHINGTON, April 20.--George A. Tor
rey attorney of the Fitchburg road addressed
the Interstate commission today He ex-
hibited maps of his line and photographs Of
the immense wharf and elevator property of
the company which would become useless If
the former privileges were not restored.
John Whitm0re, General Traffic Manager of
the Fitchburg rood, stated to the commission
under oath the difficulties of doing export
business under other than the old methods,
One of these was found in the fact that
ocean feights varied from week to week, vet
through rates could not be changed by the
railroads without giving notice in advance.
The Fitchburg company % was was entirely de-
perity, and for this reason was perhaps more
deeply interested than other companies rep
resented here.
Mr.. John Porteous, general traffic mana
ger of the Gran Trunk, representing ON this
occasion the Central Vermont and Boston &
Lowell roads, addressed the commission.
These lines had about 1000 tons of freight a
day for export, besides a large traffic of yari-
Gus kinds from Canada and west for coast
wise trade. He explained the methods of
bill export traffic substantially as his prede-
cessors had done. If they were refused priv
ilege of making rebate New York would
handle both export and coasting trade.
Representatives of Boston agents of the
Cunard and Allan steamship lines testified
that already much transportation business
~ AAAASo haA bNOh NAfSAsS0 AAOAA DOo
ton to New York.
Hon. Alden Spear said New England had
larger proportion of manufactures than
any other part of the Union. Much of the
material used was imported. As David A.
Wells had recently said, New England had
manufactures, but she raised nothing she
used. Her cotton came from the South, her
1000 from the West. 1t needed no argument
to show the damage which would result from
making these manufacturers go to New York
lnlra anrtad ofo..t ole o.,lI. 4AI
erai terms to the extent of railroad interests
involved, and the ready series of resolutions
adopted by the association he represents.
Charles ID. Berry, representing the firm of
Shippers OF which he is a members, stated
his hrn was engaged largely in Austrian
trade. Since the law went into effect they
mad not be enable to procure .cargoes as fay-
orably as before. If no relief was afforded
the firm would move to New York.
Charles III. North, representing packing
line carried on in Boston under the present
arrangements. The export packing trade of
Boston was about SIS, 600, 600 year.
Edward Kembles Of Boston, wanted relief,
not for one class alone, but for all citizens OF
New England. He did not see the Justice
trade which would enable merchants
in England to buy a barrel of flour
cheaper then it could be bought in
New England. Justice should be done to
all ClaSS6S.
During the progress of the hearing the
commissioners questioned the speakers, and
witnesses at length with regard to the va
rlous details of the subject. But no express
sion OF opinion was made on the part Of the
commissioners themselves to indicate their
own views The inquiries elicted nothing
beyond the suggestions already referred to-
During the progress of one of the brief in
cidental discussions the chairman remarked
that the law forbade rebates, the commission
had no power to suspend or waive legal pro-
VISIONS. SO far as they go these inquiries
accord with those already expressed. 1t is
the purpose of the commission to leave the
Interpretation of the law primarily to the
railroad companies themselves, and confne
its own operations to the hearing of the com
plants of violations Of the law and passing
uDon them